Wigs for hair loss

I have inherited thin hair and have several wigs that I’ve never actually worn outside of the house. On the rare occasion that Someone has seen me in one they’ve said how great they look and how they wouldn’t think it was a wig. I did wear a wig for a fancy dress party last year and felt so confident because everyone knew it was a wig anyway. However, with lockdown and not going to the hairdressers (a trim at the hairdressers usually takes just a few seconds because my hair is so thin!) I’m probably going to just chop a bit off the end of my hair every so often and wear my wigs. For some reason, the fact that there is a different reason for wearing a wig I don’t feel so embarrassed at the thought. I do find them very hot to wear, though.

I have hair loss too. Frontal alopecia, hair has been disappearing from the front and sides, now bald to behind my ears. Lost eyebrows years ago, no hairs on arms or legs. Thinning on top now. Took years for GP to refer me to dermatologist who started me on hydrochloride (Trump drug). Landed up with macular hole, one of the side effects of the drug. Late DD who lost hair due to chemo had a real
hair and a man made fibre wig. She thought man made one much easier to manage and care for.

I sympathise with you. My hair has gone thin post menopause. This is due to the lack of oestrogen allowing the small amount of testosterone women have to dominate and a chemical called DHT to attack the follicles. The hair diameter slowly goes smaller and then follicles die off and hairs that are lost are not replaced, hence the thinning usually on the scalp area. It's called androgenetic alopecia or female pattern hair loss. Some have success with minoxidil and regrow their hair. Others use hair toppers and wigs, either human hair or synthetic. Good companies to purchase from are Aspire Hair, Mimo, Beautiful Betsy, Kristina Young in the UK. They can advise on style and colour. Good wig brands are Raquel Welch, Ellen Wille, Belle Tress and Jon Renau. Even their synthetic hair is life like and not too dense with little permatease. Beware of high street wig shops charging extortionate amounts and not telling you which wig you are buying so you can't repurchase cheaper online. Beware of cheap websites stealing other reputable brands pictures usually from China. Do lots of research online. Take care of your emotional needs as it can be very difficult to accept and move on. I've found little help from doctors, they just expect you to get on with it. I decided a while ago not to let this rule or spoil my life so it's toppers for now and then wigs!! Hope this helps you. Best wishes on your journey.

Also forgot to mention because this is a recognised medical condition, you can buy wigs and toppers VAT free. Just fill in the correct forms on the various supplier websites, saves 20%. Many sites have discounts too on the various brands 30% etc. and sale items. Subscribe and you'll get the emails with offers.

www.godivassecretwigs.com
Some very pretty styles?

@Grandmafrench I'm definitely interested in information about the treatment you had. My hair has become very thin on the top of my head and after washing, my scalp shows through while it is wet. It is just about ok when ry, but if it gets wet when I'm out (eg caught in the rain or sweating in hot weather) I feel embarassed and self concious.

Good on you juliaM sounds great to me. I’m pleased for you that you ordered a wig, there are some beautiful ones now to choose from. I wouldn’t hesitate on buying one if I lost more hair, my motto in life is do what you feel is right never mind anyone else, I’m sure it will look great, if you not hundred per cent happy you can always take it to a hairdresser who can tweak it here and there,

Agree with those who recommend hair loss clinic.
Family member had a phone consultation because of covid She is happy with advice and treatment given,although a little dear,other doctors had just written it off as female pattern balding,she is 25.
Also said if she was in London she should call in .
The clinic was much more understanding than dermatolagist who,after all,do not specialise in this area.

I only suffered temporary hair loss when I was on chemo but I bought two wigs, one was by mail order from a firm called Paula Young in London. I can't recall the cost but it wasn't terribly expensive and they regularly have sales.
You have to take various measurements in order to get a good fit and if it doesn't suit you can return it and try another. I had to return my first choice and they were fine about it.
The synthetic ones are cheaper and comfortable. It does feel as though you are wearing a hat all the time but you really can't tell it from real hair. With care they should last about six months but mine are older than that, I never threw them away after my hair returned.
Their details are: Paula Young, 9 Fenning Street, London SE1 3QR - I don't have any connection to the firm. They send them in a plain brown box for privacy. Good luck.

I had chemo last year and lost all my hair. I bought a wig from the hospital shop and realised that it made me look like Donald Trump. Not a good look. They would not accept it back for reasons of hygiene ?. I looked on the internet and found Light in the Box. It’s an American firm which sells all sorts. I bought a wig made from real hair for around £40 and the shipping was not expensive. I recommend them.

Kate1949
I would suggest you see another doctor, is your doctor one of a few in the surgery if so try and see a lady doctor you should get some sympathy.
I am sure you should be entitled to see a consultant about this
as it is affecting your mental health.I am almost sure you can get treatment on the NHS,
as your doctor couldn’t be bothered to help you don’t let him put you off.We might all be getting older but hair loss in Women is not an age thing it’s a health thing so stand up for your right to be treated.
All the doctors in our practice would have helped you so it’s your doctor not the system.
The fact that your Mother had the same problem is nonsense
she probably had the same health issue as you are experiencing so what. medicine has moved on a lot in the last 20 years.
Go for it hope you get satisfaction ?

What an interesting, empathetic, constructive, informative and helpful thread. Huge thanks to all contributors. GN at its level best indeed. Wonderful.

Thank you grannie7 I have in fact seen several doctors. It was a lady doctor who told me to 'get a wig'. She said she had specialised in hair loss in the past and that 'there's very little that can be done'. Yes it does affect mental health. My hair system has helped with my confidence but the hair loss has affected me quite badly, especially as I lost my teeth aged 11 through neglect. It seemed like the final straw. I appreciate all the kind comments

I'm in a similar position to you,I was very ill with Sepsis followed by abscesses in my bowel meaning I had to have a stoma,I am also type two diabetic.I have been buying wigs for the last eight years and luckily they have all been fine.I have now changed the colour from dark brown to a golden browny colour which looks more natural as I've aged.I purchased my last one on line from a company in Liverpool called Hair Fairy and it's turned out to be a good buy and it wasn't ridiculously expensive

I have scarring alopecia which appeared in my 50s. I found a hairdresser who supplies fits and cuts Belle Madame wigs. They are not real hair and cost about £300 for a short style. I am often told that people are amazed that this isn't my own hair. I can highly recommend them.

I’m so sorry for anyone dealing with this, it’s every woman’s nightmare, I think.

I just wanted to say that some hairdressers offer a service to help women with hair loss. My own salon has a charitable arm that provide advice free of charge to women with hair loss, no matter the cause. They will help with making the most of any hair you do have and guide you though buying a wig, if you wish. Obviously wigs etc have to be paid for but the service itself is FOC.

It’s been much-praised in local media for helping women’s self-esteem and morale so it might be worth finding out if there’s anything similar in your own area. They work hand-in-hand with hospitals so that might be a good place to start.

I have just ordered a wig after reading this thread. My hair is thin, frizzy and needs regular trimming to keep it looking reasonable. Since lockdown I haven't had a haircut since March and have decided to take the wig plunge. My hairdresser recommended Seryoxyl drops and I have used them for about six months now and my hair is no better. Can't wait for the wig to arrive!

I won't be moaning about my thinning hair after reading these posts. Blimey, I should worry, at least I have some !

Yes, I had thick naturally curly/wavy hair before the menopause but the weight disappeared as did the curls and waves and ended up fine and straight. The only time it curls is when wet and I often feel like leaving it like that, but it's unruly and as soon as I get the brush through it it goes as straight as a bundle of candles. It would probably benefit from a heated curler but I can't be bothered.

That said, at least I have some hair even with most of it my natural colour of brown with a fair, sun-bleached and grey front so haven't even turned all over grey or white yet.

Afternoon Ellan x

Jocork. would you mind sending me a PM, please? I've had so many and I don't want to take over this thread! ( My Husband asked me this morning if I am thinking of opening a clinic ?! )
I've had lots of mails from lovely people wanting information or further details of my experience of overcoming hair loss. I am dealing with them, so if you've written already, please take this as an acknowledgement and know I am in the middle of replying.

This is such a supportive thread, but also quite sad. Brings home just how many women feel they just have to suffer or put up with a situation which is so depressing, when it's often not necessary. All we need is the right help! Reminds me of my Mum's time when Doctors would often say about too many things "oh, it's your age I'm afraid!"

The first and most important thing everyone needs is an Endocrinologist - or a referral to one. Find out exactly what makes you tick, what you might be lacking, what underlying problems you might have, etc. After that you'll be a good half way to knowing what to do.

Don't give up. But if it's too late or you do know that your problem is insoluble, buy a lovely wig and rediscover how great life can be again with a beautiful head of hair.

My friend lost her hair to cancer and went to a wig maker to discuss her requirements.

Her real hair wig was almost exactly the same as her hair, only difference was the wig hair was a little bit thicker. It was the same colour and length and she could style it the same way. It cost her £650

She said it gave her so much confidence and she was able to return to work when she felt well enough and wore it everyday. You really wouldn’t have known it was a wig unless she told you.

She did make me laugh when she said one day she couldn’t be bothered to wash it properly, so had popped it in a net bag in the washing machine. She put it out on the garden table, on the polystyrene head to dry naturally. A little while later she could her someone talking in the garden, she peeped out and saw her elderly neighbour chatting away to her from his garden. From where he was it must have looked like she was sitting in the garden chair at the table.

She said she didn’t dare go out, but had to stifle her giggles when he said ‘well lovely to chat Sue, even if you’re not in the mood to talk today. I hope you’re feeling well otherwise.’ And off he went.

My Mum also lost her hair to cancer and the hospital offered her a wig. They gave her a catalogue to choose from and she made her choice. She wasn’t given any help or advice though to choose and my daughter and I weren’t at the hospital at that time so didn’t know anything about it. She was quite poorly and not quite with it at that time.

By the time it arrived, Mum had been discharged and the hospital sent it on to her at home. She was so excited when it came and asked us to go out of the room for 5 minutes, as she had a surprise for us.

We walked in to my Mum sporting a ginger wig and looking like Anne Robinson, usually she had salt n pepper hair! It was a lovely Racquel Welsh hairpiece but didn’t suit her at all. After we’d stopped giggling, she explained she thought she’d go back to her original colour from when she was younger - but realised it was a mistake as soon as she saw herself in the mirror.

We did have a giggle about it but must admit she wasn’t impressed when we told her she was the weakest link! Sadly, she’s passed now but we always remember that wig which ended up staying in its box forever more.

JuliaM have you had a blood test for Thyroid function?

I ask this because as a child and young adult I used to have alopecia, which can be a sign of Thyroid problems. Then my thyroid became underactive. When I was prescribed levothyroxine the alopcea stopped. I now have a really good head of hair, despite having had an early menopause.
Just a thought.

My hair is very thin in places and the scalp shows through especially after colouring. I find some of the coloured powder products useful. You can brush them onto your scalp in the thinner areas and they put a subtle colour onto your scalp or around the face, making your hair look thicker. There are several on the market and in different colours, to help you match against your own colour.

It's lovely that this thread is so supportive. I was still working when my hair began to go. I got upset in the office one day and a woman (who had great hair) said to me 'For goodness sake. It's only hair. Be grateful you're not ill'. Comments like that made me ashamed of being upset.

I lost my hair through chemo I got a Rachael Welch wig the shop I went to were brilliant and tried lots of wigs the one I settled with was similar style and colour to my hair it felt heavy they thinned it out for me but I must admit I did feel hot in it ,now my own hair as come back but it's a lot thinner .
Word of warning do be careful if you get synthetic wig when cooking I know someone who srynged hers .

Should say singed .